The hat in question derives from a play Fedora opus
of an otherwise obscure playwright Victorien Sardou who
introduced to the waiting world this style of hat with a low
crown longitudinally creased and curled brim Paris 1882.

Descendant from this worthy forbear, my own chapeau
of rather harder felt, approximately the color of cocoa,
and in common with the fedoras of more modern times having
not only a longitudinal furrow but dents in front on either side
a boatlike prow for cutting through the crowded atmosphere, and
lest I should fail to mention and continuing the boat-like similitude
on each side two little grommetted portholes.

And then the adorning band, wide pleated ribbon of rayon
I suppose and of a somewhat darker brown coloration.

Now to proceed into the interior of this edifice--
a brassy colored rayon lining, the maker's escutcheon,
worn away by abrasion of my once harsh hair, hatband
of tanned leather most notable for a small white label
upon which blackly imprinted MEDIUM and tiny but proudly
around the perimeter of a circular logo THE AMALGAMATED
CLOTHING AND TEXTILE WORKERS UNION and within
the circle UNION MADE, drawing of a globe festooned
by American flags, and the handclasp of brother workers.
Below the circle *REGISTERED* referring, I presume,
to proprietary rights of the ACTWU, and finally (wistfully)
MADE IN U.S.A.

There are ways to wear a hat: tilted back on the head-- fast-talking
wise guy reporter, brim up-- clownishly, vaudevillian, burlesque
comedian, brim down all around-- down-and-outer out of a job
waiting on the breadline chilly rain spilling down over his back.
As for myself, the hat is worn seriously in the manner of old time
actors portraying criminals the hat square and low, brim down
over the eyes, tough guys Cagney, George Raft, Edward G. Robinson,
Paul Muni-- Have you seen Public Enemy, Scarface?

I wrote a story, my brown fedora a character, a voyeuristic
hat that watches lovers, a hat that flies-- slowly, spinning
wobbling-- Fedora Style, into the distance, disappearing
finally
over dry red mountains.

..................................................Israel Lewis